I like the author, and his out there style has produced some gems. This article though, it feels like he started, but didn't really get anywhere.

What is (for the purpose of this article) "American Empire" anyway?

If it's relative economic & military power, than the writing is on the wall. China is matching and surpassing the US now.

Is it "Empire of the Mind" where the US leads the world in terms of political ideas, holds the torch of civilization and such? That's a whole different discussion.

Is this an article about upcoming disasters of a political-economic kind?